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Steam Deck Beta Update Brings Big Changes

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Gigletter
May 12, 2025

Valve has just dropped the SteamOS 3.7.5 Beta update for the Steam Deck, and it’s a big one. If you’re in the Beta or Preview channels, you’re in for a treat. This update is packed with improvements, fixes, and a few cool new features that make the Steam Deck even better.

|Major System Updates

First up, the Steam Deck is now running on a newer version of Arch Linux, and the Linux kernel has been bumped up to version 6.11. If you’re not a Linux geek, just know that this means better performance and stability. The Mesa graphics drivers also got an upgrade, which should translate to smoother visuals whether you’re gaming or just messing around in Desktop mode.

Speaking of Desktop mode, it’s also getting a big upgrade with Plasma 6.2.5. This means a slicker, more responsive experience if you use your Steam Deck like a mini laptop. It feels faster, everything from window management to system settings is just smoother.

|Better Support for Other Handhelds

This update doesn’t just make the Steam Deck better, it also helps other handheld gaming devices. If you’re using something like an Asus ROG Ally or a Lenovo handheld, you’ll get better power button support and improved input handling. Valve is clearly thinking beyond just the Steam Deck here, which is a good thing for the whole handheld gaming scene.

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|Improved Controller and Bluetooth Support

Controllers got some love too. If you’ve ever tried using the Switch Pro Controller on the Deck, you might’ve noticed gyro issues. That’s now fixed. No more awkward aiming problems. Changes were also made in Bluetooth too, devices won’t accidentally wake the Deck if Bluetooth is off, and headset microphone support has been added (though it only works in Desktop mode for now).

|What’s New in Desktop Mode

If you spend a good amount of time in Desktop mode, you’ll love this update. Plasma 6.2.5 means a cleaner look, better performance, and even surround sound support. There’s also a new tool called KDE Filelight, which is a fancy way of saying you can now see exactly what’s eating up your storage at a glance.

Valve has also squashed a bunch of annoying bugs, stuff like system hangs when switching between Desktop and Game mode, weird sound device names, and even out-of-memory crashes. It just feels more polished.

This update also brings a ton of other small but important changes. For example, you now have a battery charge limit option, you can set it to 80% to help extend your battery’s lifespan. If you’re using the Deck with certain displays, like TCL FireTVs or Dell VRR capable monitors, you’ll see better compatibility too. For a full list of changes, you can check out the official patch notes shared by Valve.

|Should You Update?

This update is a solid quality-of-life boost, especially if you use Desktop mode or connect other controllers. Valve is making it clear that they’re serious about keeping the Steam Deck up to date, and it shows.

If you haven’t tried the Beta channel yet, now might be a good time. Just remember, Beta means you might run into a few bugs here and there, but from what I’ve seen, this update is solid.